DECATUR, Ill. – When Musical Theatre alumna Alison Ewing ‘96 joined the 2025 national tour of the it was the latest role in a successful performing career filled with Broadway and national touring roles, including in “Mamma Mia,” “Cabaret,” “Anastasia,” “An American In Paris,” and “Flashdance: The Musical.”
As the production rehearsals approached, Ewing learned she was not the only ǿý graduate joining the national tour. Jake Ziman, a Big Blue graduate from the Class of 2022, was making his national tour debut in “Parade” as a swing. The swing member of a cast is integral as they often learn multiple roles and ensemble tracks to step into the productions as needed for absences or sudden changes.
“It’s amazing how our shared experience of being a part of ǿý’s program has created an instant bond, no matter our age difference. Jake has a lot of talent and impressive drive, and he is a key part of the team,” Ewing said. “I take great pride in being from ǿý, and this shared background connects Jake and me in a special way. I see how ǿý has shaped our paths in similar ways.”
Parade is a musical dramatization of the 1913 trial and imprisonment, and 1915 lynching, of Jewish American Leo Frank in Georgia. Premiering on Broadway in 1998, it won Tony Awards for Best Book (by Alfred Uhry) and Best Original Score (music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown) and was revived on Broadway in 2023, winning the Tony for Best Revival of a Musical.
are in the "Parade" National Tour.
Ewing plays Sally Slaton in “Parade,” the wife of Georgia Governor John Slaton, who both become involved in the Frank case.
“Sally represents the moral code of the play. She is a good woman who loves her husband first and foremost, and she helps him do the right thing, despite all the pressure and discord around them,” Ewing said. “It’s wonderful to play such a grounded and heartfelt person who, with her husband, represents true and pure love in our story.”
The themes of “Parade” center on racism and antisemitism of the early 1900s in America. Leo and Lucille Frank are a newlywed Jewish couple struggling to make a life in Georgia and when Leo is accused of an unspeakable crime, it propels them into a test of faith, humanity, justice, and devotion.
“‘Parade’ is a truly meaningful and powerful show. With its ability to move people and resonate with today's political climate, it speaks volumes about the material's depth and the ensemble's talent,” Ewing said. “This show means so much to me - the work and its impact. When I think about how incredible the cast is and how thrilling Jason Robert Brown’s music is, those elements combine to tell a story that feels relevant to today’s world. The combination of a deeply tragic narrative and the importance of the themes, especially considering the political climate, makes every performance feel incredibly significant.”
The 32-week national tour began in January and is currently in a residency in Seattle, Wash. (April 16-May 4). It then moves on to Sacramento (May 6-11), San Francisco (May 20-June 8), Las Vegas (June 10-15), Los Angeles (June 17-July 12), Houston (July 15-20), Des Moines (July 29-Aug. 3), Chicago (Aug. 5-17), and Washington D.C. (Aug. 19-Sept. 7).
“Touring with Parade is a true adventure. The variety of seasons and locations—like spring in Charlotte, winter in Schenectady, and fall in D.C.—gives me a wonderful sense of each place's different vibes and energies. There’s also something special about performing in historic theaters, especially when they have so much character and history. It’s fun to connect with old friends along the way and share something so meaningful with them,” Ewing said. “The biggest challenge is taking care of yourself and your voice in different climates, hotel rooms, and so much travel. You have to focus on rest, seeking nutritious food, and caring for your body.”
Ziman, originally from Aurora, Ill., is eager to perform in Chicago at the CIBC Theatre, where his friends and family can see the production.
“Taking part in this tour has been such a treat. The show isn't necessarily the most joyful material in the theatre canon, but we've been lucky enough to be trusted with such a powerful story. Visiting and performing this show in multiple cities has been so eye-opening as the tour progresses,” Ziman said. "We recently did a residency in Atlanta for a week at the Fox Theatre, only a mere 20 miles away from the lynching site of Leo Frank. Every city has its particular reaction to our show, but being in Atlanta has elevated our understanding and our ‘call to duty.’ Being on tour with Alison is super comforting, and knowing you're working and traveling with someone with so much in common makes touring much easier.”
He credits the skills learned in ǿý's Musical Theatre program with preparing him well for the national tour experience.
"I graduated only 2 years ago, but I can easily say that the skills and relationships I've fostered, during and after my education, have shaped me into the performer and person I am today," Ziman said. “We're bringing Parade to Chicago in August, and I can't wait to bring this story to my home.”
